Quick Facts
The Conference attracts a variety of customers, providers and advisor attendee groups who create an exceptional venue for learning, networking and business development.This is an educational conference keynoted by top business, academic, and government leaders, complemented by numerous in-depth breakout sessions and case studies for customers and providers.
WELCOME RECEPTION
This event will be held at the MIRAGE - LAS VEGAS in the Grand Ballroom A, September 29, 2008 at 7:00 pm. Speaker: Christopher (Chris) R. Blum
Mr. Blum is the FAA Regional Administrator for Central Region, where he is the Senior FAA Official for the four-state Region (Kansas, Iowa, Missouri and Nebraska).
Prior to his arrival in Kansas City as the Regional Administrator in 2001, Chris was Air Traffic Division Manager in the Great Lakes Region, where he had management oversight of more than 80 air traffic facilities. Mr. Blum is familiar with complex issues confronting the FAA in a region which handles some three million aircraft operations annually. He was responsible for such high volume and high visibility facilities such as Chicago O’Hare, plus numerous top 25 airports, and four of the busiest En Route Centers in the world.
In April 2005, with the retirement of the Great Lakes Regional Administrator, he was tasked to handle two regions – Central and Great Lakes. This arrangement, which resulted in a twelve-state span of control, was a first for the FAA. With the hiring of his replacement in Great Lakes in August of 2007, Chris returned to handle duties exclusively for Central Region.
In 2008, Mr. Blum was detailed as the Acting Assistant Administrator for Regions and Center Operations, Washington, DC. He also assisted the Air Traffic Organization (ATO) by standing up a new division as the Acting Senior Vice President for Strategy and Performance. This division is responsible for the future planning, communications, and measuring the performance of the ATO.
Chris’s career in Federal service stretches over 38 years. He began as a controller at the Miami Air Traffic Control Center in 1970 and has since served in various management positions in FAA’s Southern, Central and Great Lakes Regions.
Chris pursued a Business Management Degree at the University of Miami and holds an Associates Degree in Aerospace Science from Miami-Dade Junior College. He has a Commercial Pilot’s License and is instrument rated.
Chris has four children and six grandchildren. Off hours he can be found either on the golf course or in his woodworking shop.